On the occasion of the Lithuanian Language School Day, the promoters of Lithuanian language education were honoured
During the solemn event on the occasion of the Lithuanian Language School Day (marked on 10 August) in at the President's Office of the Republic of Lithuania, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, presented the Honour Awards „For Diaspora Merits to Lithuania“ to the fosterers promoters of Lithuanian language education abroad.
During the solemn event on the occasion of the Lithuanian Language School Day (marked on 10 August) in at the President's Office of the Republic of Lithuania, the Minister of Foreign Affairs, Kęstutis Budrys, presented the Honour Awards „For Diaspora Merits to Lithuania“ to the promoters of Lithuanian language education abroad.
‘It is an honour to be with you as we mark the Lithuanian Language School Day together. Today, we celebrate what unites us around the world – love for Lithuania, its language, history, and culture. You are not only teachers, but also guardians of the Lithuanian spirit, passing on the Lithuanian language and our identity from generation to generation. Through your activities, you are raising future generations of Lithuania, which I believe will be proud of their roots and promote Lithuania's name around the world," said Minister Budrys.
The February 16th Gymnasium, which celebrates the 75th anniversary of its activities this year, has been awarded the highest honorary award - the Golden Knight - for its long-standing mission of fostering Lithuanian identity, providing high-quality education, playing an active role in community building, and maintaining close ties with Lithuania.
The Minister awarded the medals to the laureates who came to Lithuania: Angelė Bailey, long-time member of the Lithuanian-American community, teacher, and former Director of Washington K. Donelaitis Lithuanian language School (USA); Auksė Motto (USA), an active member of the Lithuanian-American community, founder of the Lithuanian language School "Lietuvėlė" in New Jersey, coordinator of Lithuanian language courses for adults at the Lithuanian Educational Council of the USA, and head of the project "Education for Lithuanian-American Schools"; Solveiga Stankevičiūtė (Spain), founder and head of the Barcelona Lithuanian School, promoter of Lithuanian education in the Spanish region of Catalonia.
Medals "For Diaspora Merits to Lithuania" were also awarded to the teachers of the Toronto Maironis Lithuanian School, the head and teacher of the Bishop M. Valančius Lithuanian Language School in Hamilton, the former vice-chair of the board of the Canadian Lithuanian community for education Vida Angelė Stanevičius (Canada); the long-time teacher of the Maironis School in Toronto, also teaching advanced courses in Lithuanian language and literature, the editorial assistant and writer of articles for the Lithuanian weekly newspaper " Tėviškės žiburiai – The Lights of Homeland" (Canada); the organiser of cultural events and literary festivals Rima Žemaitytė-De Iuliis (Canada); the founders of the Lithuanian language school in Tbilisi, long-term teacher and translator Lidija Giorgobiani (Georgia).
The Lithuanian Parliament has declared August 10th as the Lithuanian Language School Day in spring of 2024. Thus, this year it is celebrated for the second time. The patron of the solemn event in at the President's Office was the First Lady Diana Nausėdienė, who dedicates a great deal of effort to promoting Lithuanian education abroad.
Photos: The Office of the President of the Republic of Lithuania
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